County
of Santa Cruz

PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE

First
Report in 2005 –

West
Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in a bird from Santa Cruz County

INFORMATION

·The
dead bird was picked up to the west of Pinto Lake.

·Positive
birds have now been found in several counties in CA in 2005.Detection of the virus in our county means
that it is not too early to take precautions to protect yourself from WNV.

·While
the dead bird was found in South County, it is likely that WNV is present in
birds throughout the county.

·WNV
is transmitted to humans and animals by mosquitoes and is not transmitted by
casual person-to-person contact.Rarely, it has been transmitted via blood transfusions or organ
transplants.Blood and organ bank
procedures now screen for WNV.

ACTIONS

·Mosquito
and Vector Control technicians will be setting mosquito traps in the area near
Pinto Lake to determine the abundance and species of mosquitoes that are now
active.

·Mosquito
and Vector control will respond to mosquito activity by eliminating mosquito
larvae where they breed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

·The
best way to protect yourself from WNV is to prevent exposure to mosquitoes.

·Drain all standing water around your
home at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.Dress
in long sleeves and long pants when outdoors.Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET on exposed skin when outdoors.

·There
is a safe and effective vaccine for horses.Horse owners should vaccinate their horses now.

·Residents
are urged to report dead birds by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or
report online at www.westnile.ca.gov.